Daily (or almost daily) ideas, tid bits, factoids, stories, research notes, news, and other fun things from the most interesting time period in American history! After reading my blog, click on the links below for more information about the New Deal.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Why We Need A New Deal Museum (part 5 of 10): A Display of Art!

(An undated aquatint, created by artist Harry Sternberg in the Federal Art Program. Image courtesy of the National Archives and the New Deal Network.)

(The description for this undated photo reads, "Concetta Scarvaglione, a WPA Federal Art Project Sculptress, working on
the clay model for her sculpture, "Girl with Faun" exhibited at the New
Horizons Exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art." Photo courtesy of the National Archives and the New Deal Network.)

(The description for this photo reads, "Lincoln Memorial - 13ft. Statue of Lincoln made of Limestone. Sponsored
by the Lincoln Consolidated Training School, Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Federal Art Project, 316 Garfield Building, Detroit..." Photo courtesy of the National Archives and the New Deal Network.)

("Metal road sign made by a WPA artist, Westport, Connecticut." Yep, they even made road signs with more pizzazz than we do today. Image courtesy of the National Archives and the New Deal Network.)

(One of 2,000+ posters created by WPA artists. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.)

There was a lot of great art created during the New Deal. Some of it is held today by the federal government, some of it is still inside various buildings across the nation (e.g., K-12 schools, universities, and state houses), some of it is on the grounds of various parks and institutions (e.g., statues, fountains, and ornaments), and so on. However, I know from personal experience--and also from conversations with fellow New Deal enthusiasts--that some historic New Deal art is just "out there," waiting for a home, and in danger of being lost or destroyed. A New Deal museum would help preserve this art, while also putting on spectacular visual displays for the public.